The Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) has selected local artist William Gustafson of Rock Island to paint a new mural on the west-facing wall at 312 17th St., across from the Bettendorf City Hall.
His mural is called Titled Arches. The concept of the artwork is to show the viewer several time periods through the arches, the DBO said in a news release this week. Mr. Gustafson will paint the mural in June. An unveiling is planned in early July.
Mr. Gustafson’s mural idea won out over three other candidates.
“I created the mural to span time from the past industrial age: the Bettendorf brothers revolutionizing the train wheel, the innovative Velie Monocoup, the steel industry, old steam boats on the river, and two life-sized industry workers,” he said in the release.
“The center arch includes the current Waterfront Convention Center and Isle Casino, to the Celebration Belle, to a one-wheel rider and young girl life size in the foreground, and a jet streaming across the sky to hold the viewers eye into the future with the new I-74 bridge spanning the present day to lead you into the future with a solar car and personal drone flying in above,” Mr. Gustafson added. “An eagle holds the viewer’s eye life-size as the shadow from early morning light cast across all time,”
DBO Executive Director Ryan Jantzi said in the release, “On behalf of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization’s board of directors and the property owner, we are excited to select William Gustafson for this mural. It will be a highly visible location welcoming people into Downtown Bettendorf,” said
Excited for QC future
Quad City Arts was originally contracted by DBO to facilitate this transformative art project.
“Seeing our communities invest in public art makes us excited for the future of the Quad Cities,” said Ben Gougeon, Quad City Arts’ director of community engagement.
“When organizations like the Downtown Bettendorf Organization lead the way in promoting public placemaking initiatives, it helps lift not only Downtown Bettendorf, but all Quad Citizens. Study after study shows the effect public art has on an area’s livability, both in terms of the enhancement of quality of life and the economic impact on a region.”
He added in the release “We’re thrilled the selection committee chose to feature Bill Gustafson, a local artist with a long history of signature pieces in the Quad Cities. His work is part of the fabric of the area, and will continue to inspire into the future his mural so hopefully depicts.”
